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A couple of days after the NJ attacks, a white was caught that had human remains in its stomach, and it was widely believed at the time that it was the one responsible for the attacks. However, there is a building feeling nowadays that it was a bull shark, which have been known to travel up rivers as far as Lake Nicaragua in Central America. Unquestionably, worldwide, the bull and tiger have accounted for more human deaths than any other species of shark. The are common in the inshore areas of tropical and sub-tropical regions, where sharks and humans commingle, but in a year where water temps rise so quickly as they have this season, you'll find them close to home here, too. The so-called "mackerel sharks", whites, makos and porbeagles, are becoming more common inshore as the seal population continues to grow. Makos appear to be the most pelagic of the three, but I recently saw a photo of one caught from the surf in Texas.They have a replicated jaw of megalodon in the Museum of Natural History in NYC, and there's a famous photo of 3 men seated comfortably in chairs within those jaws.
Back to the tackle topic---I thought the VS was worth the money when it cost $300, after I had a peek inside (the early ones had removeable side plates). I thought it continued to be a good value at $450, when the annual service was still $20. Now that they cost $650 and the annual service is pushing $50 when you factor in either the cost of driving to Stratford or sending it UPS, they're not such a great buy any more. I would not pay $650 for either a Stella or any of the Daiwas. The best Daiwa reels for the buck are the ones they've made for years, the BGs and SS Tournament, and the Sealine conventionals. The original Millionaires were great reels, too.
Harnell is a real "mom and pop" outfit. Still family run. Their rods may be old-fashioned, but so is the way they do business.
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